If the melon is ripe the straw will turn to a 45 degree angle.
Broom straw watermelon test.
If it spins it is ripe.
The riper the watermelon the more magnetic it becomes causing the broom straw to turn towards the magnetic activity just like a compass needle.
So there you have it.
If it is green it will not move.
According to her article this method of checking a watermelon s ripeness dates back as early as 1945 where a picker places a broom straw horizontally across a watermelon.
The straw acts like a compass needle.
Lay a broom straw perpendicular on the middle of the melon.
The broom straw acts like a compass needle and the watermelon becomes more magnetic as it ripens.
A picker places a broom straw horizontally across a watermelon.
All you need is a straight broom straw or blade of grass to tell if you have a sweet melon.
If your melon is ripe the straw will actually spin it may not spin like a helicopter blade but it will turn on its own.
Can a broom straw determine ripeness.
Get a piece of broom straw that is as straight and possible and find a pet well rounded spot on your melon lay the piece of straw on that spot and gently let it go.
You can find a straw from the broom section of the store.
If it is green it will not move.
How to tell if watermelon is ripe.
I believe it has something to do with magnetism.
The video above posted by stacy lyn harris owner and author of the blog game garden claims that you can test a watermelon s ripeness or sweetness using a piece of straw from a common.
A november 1945 issue of popular science describes the method of the straw test.
You can also tell if a watermelon is ripe by placing a dry straw perpendicular to the melon and watching how fast it will align with the melon.
The more it turns the sweeter it is.
So if when you place your straw sideways on the bottom of the watermelon the more it turns towards longways the riper the watermelon.
Just pull a dry straw out of the broom and go to the melon section.
If the melon is ripe the straw will turn to a 45 degree angle.
Many watermelon aficionados continue to trust the unique method after many decades of use.